{1
11.
EN CLAIR
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO HONG KONG
(D.T.D.)
TEL 2368
21 NOVEMBER, 1967
(HWB/18/6)
UNCLASSIFIED
136
7
HOURS OF WORK AND WAGES.
FRANK ALLAUN MP FOR SALFORD EAST IS TO ASK SECRETARY STATE THE FOLLOWING TWO PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS ORALLY ON 5 DECEMBER :- QUOTE NO 150: IF WHEN THE PHASED REDUCTION TAKES PLACE IN MAXIMUM WORKING HOURS FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE GARMENT AND OTHER INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG HE WILL TAKE STEPS TO AVOID A REDUCTION IN THEIR WEEKLY EARNINGS BY AN INCREASE
IN WAGE RATES AND
NO 173: IF HE IS AWARE THAT THE PHASED REDUCTION IN HOURS
TO 48 PER WEEK FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE HONG KONG
TEXTILE INDUSTRY HAS NOT BEEN ACCOMPANIED BY
ANY CHANGE IN WAGE RATES TO AVOID A SERIOUS REDUCTION
IN THEIR EXISTING LOW INCOMES AND IF HE WILL
CONSULT THE HONG KONG EMPLOYERS AND TRADE UNIONS WITH A VIEW
TO RAISING WAGE RATES FOR THOSE CONCERNED UNQUOTE.
2. IN ORDER THAT WE MAY PREPARE ORAL ANSWERS TO THESE AND POSSIBLE SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD PROVIDE NOT LATER THAN 28 NOVEMBER INFORMATION AS FOLLOWS :- (A) WHAT WAS THE EXPERIENCE IN HONG KONG AFTER THE 1958/59 REDUCTION OF WORKING HOURS FROM 12 TO 10
(B) WHETHER ANY ADJUSTMENTS IN WAGE RATES ARE LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE TO COMPENSATE FOR FIRST 30 MINUTES REDUCTION AND (C) YOUR BEST ESTIMATE OF THE OUT-TURN OF EVENTS AS PHASED
REDUCTION BEGINS TO OPERATE.
3. IN OUR REPLIES WE EXPECT ALSO TO BE POINTING OUT :-
(1) THE GENERAL RISING TREND OF WAGE RATES AS SHOWN BY THE INDEX OF WAGE CHANGES SINCE 1958
(11) THAT ONE OF PURPOSES OF PHASED REDUCTION WAS TO AVOID
TOO SHARP AN EFFECT ON WAGES
(111) THAT A HIGH PROPORTION OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS ARE ALREADY EMPLOYED ON HOURS OF WORK LOWER THAN THE STATUTORY
MAXIMA,
CROSEC
FILES
HONG KONG DEPT.
LAST R F
139